Electromagnetic Tracking for Prostate Biopsy Site Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sextant biopsy for prostate cancer detection has a significant false negative rate and inaccuracy due to the lack of precise location mapping, as the actual biopsy site is unknown during annotation, leading to suboptimal cancer detection and treatment.
Innovation Solution
A system that combines MRI and real-time TRUS images using electromagnetic tracking to accurately map biopsy sites, allowing for precise registration and overlay of ultrasound and MRI images, enabling accurate location marking and documentation of biopsy sites during procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sextant biopsy is performed with systematic sampling from six zones, then the procedure remains simple and low cost, but the false negative rate increases and biopsy site accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of electromagnetic tracking devices, image fusion technology, and computer-based registration systems. These intermediaries bridge the gap between simple systematic sampling and precise biopsy site localization, enabling accurate tracking and mapping of needle positions without complicating the fundamental biopsy procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical tracking methods with electromagnetic tracking systems. Instead of relying on physical landmarks or manual annotation, the system uses electromagnetic fields to track needle positions in real-time, automatically registers ultrasound images with MRI images, and computationally maps biopsy sites with high precision.
2Ease of operation
If manual annotation of biopsy sites is performed on crude standard maps, then the process remains simple, but the accuracy of biopsy location documentation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical annotation processes with automated computer-based systems. The electromagnetic tracking data is automatically processed by software that registers ultrasound images with pre-acquired MRI images, computes transformation matrices, and automatically marks biopsy sites on both imaging modalities, eliminating manual drawing and annotation errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates accurate digital copies of the prostate anatomy from MRI images and overlays them with real-time ultrasound imaging. The biopsy sites are copied and marked on both the ultrasound and MRI images through computational transformation, ensuring consistent and accurate documentation across different imaging modalities without manual redrawing.
3Measurement precision
If real-time tracking and image fusion are implemented, then biopsy site accuracy improves, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a multi-functional integrated system where a single platform performs multiple functions: electromagnetic field generation for tracking, ultrasound image acquisition, MRI image registration, real-time image fusion, computational transformation matrix calculation, and automated biopsy site marking. This universal system reduces overall complexity compared to using separate independent systems for each function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly improves the accuracy of prostate biopsy site mapping, reducing false negatives and enhancing cancer detection by providing precise anatomical correlation for improved diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
Implementation Method 1
A biopsy system can include an imaging system for obtaining diagnostic images of a target region; a tracking system; a probe having a deployable biopsy needle for performing a biopsy procedure where the tracking system generates tracking information for at least one of the probe and the biopsy needle
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for performing biopsies can include an imaging system for obtaining diagnostic images of a target region; a tracking system; a probe having a deployable biopsy needle for performing a biopsy procedure where the tracking system generates tracking information for at least one of the probe and the biopsy needle; an ultrasound imaging system for obtaining ultrasound imaging of the target region; and a computer in communication with the tracking system, the imaging system and the ultrasound imaging system. The computer can register the tracking system with the imaging system. The computer transfers a marking of a biopsy site associated with the biopsy procedure from the ultrasound imaging to the diagnostic images based on the tracking information and the registration of the tracking system with the diagnostic images.